Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

Since the airbag debuted as a safety device in vehicles the federal government has been collecting information about their ability to save lives. Consider the following statistics they've compiled.

*The NHTSA estimates that thousands of lives are saved annually thanks to airbags - perhaps as many as ten thousand each year.

*The combination of seatbelts and airbags can reduce serious head injuries by up to 85%.

*Approximately 350 million vehicles are now equipped with airbags. This includes cars and trucks and driver and passenger airbags as well as side airbags. In addition, experts claim that up to a million new cars and trucks are sold each month that are automatically equipped with airbags.

*Airbags are much more effective when used in combination with the seatbelt. Drivers should not rely solely on the airbag to protect them in the event of an accident. Estimates place the likelihood of surviving a crash with airbags at over 25% greater than without an airbag AND over 33% greater if the seatbelt and airbag are there to over double protection.

Finally, the latest car theft craze is the airbag. The number of vehicles being broken into and airbags taken is becoming epidemic. If you experience this type of theft be sure to replace those airbags as soon as possible. It's simply too dangerous to dismiss.

Continue reading "How Air Bags Save Lives" »

There have been a number of unusual accidents on Houston roadways recently. Over the weekend the driver of a truck was said to have been traveling at a high rate of speed on a local highway when he lost control of the vehicle and hit the median. The truck rolled several times and the driver was ejected.

Oddly enough the vehicle did not come to a stop, however, but remained in gear traveling in circles until someone was able to bring it to a complete stop. Unfortunately, the driver died at the scene.

File this incident under 'having a really bad day'. A female driver was determined to be at fault in a collision with a Houston fire truck on an emergency run. Although she only received minor injuries she was taken to the hospital. Her biggest problem, however, may have nothing to do with the accident itself. She was found to be driving without a driver's license OR vehicle insurance.

The implications of this are even greater. Fortunately, no firefighters were injured in the accident.

Finally, a dump truck being towed on a main highway got loose and crashed into a retaining wall. A large fuel and oil spill resulted and the roadway was shut down to traffic for several hours for clean-up before reopening to the driving public. Houston has had a rash of 18-wheeler accidents that required haz-mat teams to be dispatched for cleanup and at a high cost to Houston in dollars and delay for commuters.

Houston drivers - pay attention out there. Drive within the speed limit, wear your seatbelt, keep insurance on your car - and make sure you have secured a vehicle you are towing.

Continue reading "Recent Houston Truck Accidents" »

The simplest, most passive safety device ever invented for travel is the seat belt. Claims of hundreds of thousands of lives saved with their use do not seem to be out of the realm of possibility - so vital are they to preventing an individual from becoming a human projectile in a crash.

Yet, this morning's news includes that of the death of two individuals (not even having reached the age of 'consent') who were thrown from the back of a car when the driver lost control after speeding down the highway (middle of the night scenario).

Now even while government figures state that seat belt use is nearly universal across the country - they fail to mention that nearly 65% of traffic fatalities happen to people who are NOT wearing their seat belt.

In other words, even though it's a law that all vehicle occupants must wear their seat belt - a fair number of Americans simply ignore this requirement. One has to question why. Is there a death wish? Or, as is so often true with younger people, do they really think they are immune to death?

According to some statistics, the cost of medical care for persons who are injured in automobile accidents who were not wearing seatbelts is twice as high as those who otherwise suffer physical trauma of some sort. Their injuries are more severe as well and their recovery time is twice as long.

I can only remind people to make safe choices when you get in your vehicle - and train your children from a young age to do the same. It doesn't always mean they'll make the right choice when left to their own devices...but it may help.

And, for heaven's sake, buckle up.

Continue reading "Seat Belts Save Lives" »

There have been an unusually high number of accidents involving buses lately. Some have resulted in a number of catastrophic injuries and death and these highly publicized incidents will certainly be mentioned at this year's FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) Washington summit on motor coach safety. The objectives of this convention include the following:

*increase safety awareness of all stakeholders
*identify policy barriers and challenges (to safety)
*develop curricular tools for maintenance and operations training
*energize the public and other stakeholders to adopt a 'proactive' bus safety stance

At best these seem to be nothing more than lofty and far-reaching goals - lacking in substance that could effect change for motor coach passengers, drivers and others on the highway. However, every journey begins with a single step and the federal government's intervention in what appears to have become sloppy accounting and maintenance in the busing industry helps to return safety front and center to public transportation.

The one point that is driven home by each division of the transportation department is that public involvement is invited, encouraged and in many cases - vital - to improving safety for riders everywhere. At this point there are 'roundtables' being help by FMCSA representatives in each state for the purpose of gathering public input on the topic. If you are interested in participating or have something you'd like to add to the conversation then contact your state department of transportation or local representative for further information.

That's the great thing about living in a democracy - easy egress into the legislative process.

Continue reading "Increased Number of Bus Accidents" »

Well, it was bound to happen. The United States Department of Transportation has just given permission for truck drivers from Mexico to cross U.S. borders into our country and travel anywhere in the country. If you weren't worried about your safety before - you should be now. Research shows that the trucking industry standards in Mexico are much more lax than our own (which is saying something!).

The condition of semis and standards for upkeep are nowhere near as strict as their U.S. counterparts. Is the health of the driver even a consideration in Mexico - cause it is here with regular physicals required as a part of a semi- truck driver's ability to maintain employment. Too, signs in this country are basically in the English language - are Mexican truck drivers going to be required to speak English in order to better comprehend the rules of the road in this country?

Now the federal government has promised they will enforce a 37 point inspection AND personal interviews with each driver.

According to NAFTA officials (the source of this wonderful law that opens up our borders to Mexican drivers) Mexican drivers will have to follow all laws of documentation and safety. But the reality is that inspectors will be doing nothing more than taking the word of these drivers and inspecting vehicles on an occasional basis.

America needs tougher regulation of safety laws for truck companies not deregulation.

Continue reading "Truckers From Mexico" »

Some days Houston roadways seem like nothing more than a 'demolition derby' event at the local fairgrounds. Within the last week the following accidents have occurred and according to reports:

*A semi-truck driver headed in the wrong direction on a state highway pulled onto the berm when he realized his mistake. However, when he attempted to turn around he drove right into the path of an oncoming semi. A horrific accident ensued. Both 18-wheelers were demolished but, fortunately, no suffered any serious injuries. The driver who caused the accident claims he did not even see the other truck coming when he pulled out. (That type of proclamation should instill fear in the hearts of every driver. First, the semi is headed into oncoming traffic. Then the driver fails to recognize a ten ton machine bearing down on him and pulls directly into its path.)

*Two robbery suspects led police on a chase while driving an ATV. At some point the driver lost control of the vehicle and both men were thrown off. One died at the scene and the other was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

*A driver speeding on the freeway and darting in and out of traffic lost control of his truck and crashed head-on into a utility pole. He was pronounced dead at the scene and a female companion was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

*A motorcycle driver was seen to be weaving in and out of traffic moments before losing control of his bike and hitting a curb. He was thrown from the motorcycle and died at the scene.

Drive safely. Don't be a statistic.

Continue reading "Recent Houston Car Accidents" »